Code Your World With 4-H

This post was sponsored by the National 4-H Council as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central, and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

As a parent and full-time educator, I understand how important it is for my children to be exposed to STEM, but unfortunately for us, our local school district doesn’t offer these types of courses in the elementary schools. However, many local programs help to get technology STEM experiences in the hands of children, and for that I am thankful. As they enter middle school, the exposure is more significant, and because I work in a secondary education environment, I get to experience the joy these students experience when they can do what interests them.

I am excited to have partnered with 4-H to talk about their Code Your World Kit and the hands-on activities. These activities were developed by Google and West Virginia University Extension Service. This kit teaches kids fun computer science skills, like digital animation, gaming, and dance. What student doesn’t love that stuff?

What Is 4-H National Youth Science Day?

National Youth Science Day is a yearly initiative to get kids involved with STEM topics through hands-on experiences. Throughout October, STEM is celebrated everywhere from home, school, clubs after-school programs throughout the country. No matter how we slice it, there is a need for students to understand and create technology, and not just use it to send a text or play a video game. A computer science class isn’t only beneficial for some students, but all students should have equal access to those types of experiences because it will not only help them to learn new skills, but it can be helpful when they begin to think about their future careers. When we think of Computer science, we think of a big world that involves coding, but there are some fun hands-on Computer science activities that teach the skills that you need to prepare yourself for college.

Animate A Name: Try It!

Want to have some real fun? Check out a way to create a new beginner-friendly Computer science activity called “Animate a Name.” It’s a computer-based element of Code Your World, created by Google and 4-H Animate a Name teaches the fundamentals of coding while they learn to make a name come to life through animation, sound, and music. Just think of the possibilities. Give it a try and let me know what you think. My son and I tried it and check out the results. My creation isn’t perfect, but I am impressed by the fact that, students will have access to this type of technology.

How I Plan To Use The Kit

Because I am a mom and a school librarian, I plan to use the kit with my son and use it as a lunchtime activity with my library students that come into the library. The students have shown a great interest in computer science and coding and allowing them to have access to the fun activities. This kit holds will not only make their day but will make mine.

Having access to this Code Your World Kit, it gives every child an opportunity to experience what it is like learn code in a way that is fun and interactive. With the price point, it is a wonderfully affordable option that parents and schools alike can afford.